135118th. (Adams Papers)
At about 9 in the morning, I went on shore with my trunks, which were search’d, so that I almost thought myself in Europe again. I went to Cape’s, and after I had put all in order, went immediately to Mr. Jay, N: 8. Broadway. I then went to his office, which is at the corner of Dock Street, and found him there. I deliver’d to him all the Letters I had for him, and remain’d with him half an...
1352John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 25 May – 17 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
You have doubtless received before this, my Letter by Mr. Barclay, and you will have my N:2 in a day or two. I address’d it under cover to Mr. Jefferson, in case it should arrive after your departure. The morning after the date of my last, our Captain, ordered me to go on board, and at about 10 o’clock we weigh’d our anchors and set sail, but before we could get clear of the Harbour, the wind...
1353Sunday July 17th. 1785. (Adams Papers)
At four in the morning we came to anchor, and weigh’d it again at eight o’clock: we sailed up the North River, and pass’d by the ruins of the forts built by the British while they were in possession of New York. Upon Staten Island they are numerous. The Entrance of this river furnishes a number of very beautiful prospects; and the Situation of a number of country Seats upon Long Island is...
1354John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
We are now sailing up North River; and have met the french packet about 6 leagues from New York: she will sail to morrow morning; and has sent her boat on board, while we are at sail. I profit of the only minute instant I have to inform you, that after a tedious passage of 8 weeks, we expect by noon to be at New York. I have not even time to seal the Letter I have prepared for my Sister, and...
135516th. (Adams Papers)
This morning at 7 ½ o’clock the weather, which had been all night very cloudy, began to clear up and a sailor came from the top of the mast and told us he had made land in the N. N. W. As we had yesterday a false alarm, we did not at first believe it: some of our officers, went to the mast head, and ascertained the reality of the fact. The land which extended a considerable way, was the coast...
135615th. (Adams Papers)
This morning with a fine breeze and good wind, we sounded and found bottom, at about 35 fathom of water: we were from thence convinced that the vessel we spoke to yesterday had deceived us with respect to our distance from land, or was very much mistaken, for so little water as 25 fathom is not to be found more than 15 or 20 leagues from the coast. We sail’d directly North, to get into our...
135714th. (Adams Papers)
Yesterday at about 8 o’clock in the morning, we spied a sail, at our windward; her course was nearly the same with ours. We sailed swifter than she, and gained ground so fast that at 6 in the evening she was not more than a league distant from us, to the leward. The night coming on, made us lose sight of her. In the evening we had about the ship at least a dozen of small birds of the size of a...
135811th. (Adams Papers)
A fresh breeze, and good wind, at about 11 o’clock, we spy’d a sail, and at ¾ after 12 we spoke to her. Found her to be an English Schooner from New York, bound to Jamaica. She left New York five days ago, and they suppose her at 69d. 40m. Longitude meridian of London which is two degrees, thirty minutes, west from Paris. Our Captain supposes us, at 72d. 55m. from Paris: which makes 45...
13599th. (Adams Papers)
The air was so effectually cleared by the breaking up of the storms which occupied the atmosphere, that we have had since yesterday morning, a fine breeze, which has sometimes made the ship run 8 knots an hour. In the last 24 hours we have shortened our voyage 53 leagues. Yesterday morning we saw a sloop, which pass’d about ½ a league starboard of us. She had no topmast. I wish’d the Captain...
13607th. (Adams Papers)
At length we have reason to hope that an end is put to the calms with which we have been almost incessantly tormented, and which has kept us already, nearly fifty days at Sea: with 200 leagues still before us. This morning we had a small breeze that carried us about 3 knots an hour but it lasted only a short time and fell again into the same insipid state of nullity it had been in for a week...
13614th. (Adams Papers)
Calm weather continually: and so warm that it is almost insupportable. We still esteem ourselves 50 leagues East of the Bermudas. I wish’d very much to arrive in America before this day, which is the greatest day in the year, for every true American. The anniversary of our Independance. May heaven preserve it: and may the world still see JQA ’s quotation is from “Britannia,” lines 195–199, by...
1362Friday July 1st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
Calm weather all day. In the evening it began to lighten, and our thunder spire was fix’d; this is a small chain, fastened at the mast head; the other end of which hangs in the water, but as it is made, I believe in case of a thunder storm, it must be rather hurtful than of service. For the chain is so small, that I cannot think it would conduct much lightening; besides which it touches to a...
1363[June 1785] (Adams Papers)
Small wind. The Season for Calm weather is coming forward, and I am afraid we shall have a long passage; in the afternoon we saw a ship and pass’d within a mile from her but the weather being dark and foggy we could not see her distinctly. Towards night the wind freshened. Our Wind has been very low for several days. 15 or 20 leagues a day is the utmost extent of our route. Mr. Well de Singler...
136430th. (Adams Papers)
The weather is very good, but the winds begin to be very variable as we approach to the term of the trade winds: by our observation we are now about an hundred leagues from the Bermudas. We have had calm weather all day, extremely warm, so that no body could bear a coat. These seas are subject to very frequent squalls, and thunder storms, which are sometimes dangerous: we must expect to meet...
136528th. (Adams Papers)
Fine Wind, and good weather. We have for several days run between 40 and 50 leagues every day. In the evening we spoke to an american brig from New London, bound to Santa Cruce loaded with horses. Her Longitude, was 55 from the meridian of London. Ours was 56d. 30m. from that of Paris, so that the difference was very small. We saw another vessel to day, and a sail yesterday, but at a...
136624th. (Adams Papers)
We have been for several days in the trade winds: But have had calm weather till yesterday morning, since when we have had a breeze, which makes us run 40 leagues in 24 hours. This is St. John’s day, a great holiday, wherever the Roman Catholic Religion is dominant. O! grand Saint Jean c’etait alors ta fête! Mr. Mölich, is a young merchant of Amsterdam, 23 years old. Since the Peace he has in...
136720th. (Adams Papers)
Continual calms. Our passage will I fear be a very long one. We have fine weather, but we would willingly agree to have less Sun, and more wind. The weather begins to be very hot and we are in the Latitude of 26d. 30m. But the Sea air makes the warmth more supportable. This evening, as we were near the tropic one of the officers, according to the custom universally established, of wetting all...
136818th. (Adams Papers)
Our wind is still good but is almost all gone, and we have not run more than 20 or 25 leagues, within the last 48 hours. This forenoon we saw something at Sea, but we could not distinguish what. Some said it was a very large piece of wood. Others, were of opinion, that it was a boat overset. It pass’d at a small distance, and amused us for half an hour. At Sea, such is the continual sameness...
136915th. (Adams Papers)
Still a fine wind. Yesterday, we ran 50 leagues, and in all probability we shall not do less to day. By yesterday I mean the Solar day from noon to noon, the manner in which all nations compute time, at Sea. At about noon we saw a sail at a considerable distance, but we did not remain long in sight of one another. In the evening our wind fell a little. Mr. Bouchant the surgeon of the Packet is...
137014th. (Adams Papers)
Last Evening the wind freshened considerably, and we have now a very fine breeze. It began to be necessary, for the continual calm, that has reign’d, almost all the time, since we left L’Orient have lengthened our Voyage very much. I have now no hopes of being less than 50 days at Sea. I fear more. By coming for the trade winds, the passage may be much longer than to go northward of the...
137111th. (Adams Papers)
This day being Captain Fournier’s, jour de fête, he gave us an excellent entertainment on board: and when his health was drank at the desert, 5 guns were fir’d in his Honour. As there was a more considerable space of time between the fourth and fifth than between the others Mr. Le Bel was very much irritated: fearing that the fifth would not be fired; a salute in an even number is English, and...
13728th. (Adams Papers)
Continual calms, and contrary winds. We are now at about 38 degrees of Latitude, and are not far from the western Islands. Consequently we have not yet run 400 leagues. We saw in the forenoon a brigg and in the afternoon, she pass’d about 2 leagues from us, and hoisted an English flag. It is a common custom when 2 vessels meet at Sea, they hoist the flag of their respective nations: in peace I...
13734th. (Adams Papers)
Our Wind has been very low for several days. 15 or 20 leagues a day is the utmost extent of our route. Mr. Well de Singler is a youth 18 years old, consequently he cannot be a good Seaman; this is only his second voyage. His first was to India. His manners are by no means agreeable. He has some reading, and was two or three years in a College at Paris. He is full of his knowledge, and does not...
1374Wednesday June 1st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
Small wind. The Season for Calm weather is coming forward, and I am afraid we shall have a long passage; in the afternoon we saw a ship and pass’d within a mile from her but the weather being dark and foggy we could not see her distinctly. Towards night the wind freshened.
1375[May 1785] (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jarvis came out and dined with us at Auteuil. In the afternoon, Mr. Jefferson came out; he drank tea with us. No Rain yet: the drought is very great: the verdure is but small, tho’ the trees are covered with Leaves. Mr. A and myself went and dined with the Marquis de la Fayette, Comte and Chevalier de la Luzerne, Comte de la Touche, General du Portail: A Letter was brought after dinner to...
137631st. (Adams Papers)
High Wind, directly contrary. The Vessel roll’d so much that most of the passengers were sick. We saw yesterday a great number of Porpoises, which according to the opinion of Seamen in general, is always a certain sign of much wind. We have made very little progress as yet. Mr. Halley our second Lieutenant is a young man, under 20. He has pass’d a great part of his time at Sea, and is much of...
137727th. (Adams Papers)
Still the same scene fine weather, little wind. At about noon, we spoke to an English brig, Coming from Cadiz, and bound to Ordiné, a small town, in the british Channel. Mr. Le Bel our first Lieutenant is a man of about 35 years; who is also an excellent Seaman. I believe he has pass’d a great part of his Life at Sea. His Character is much that of a mariner who has lost by the life he has lead...
137825th. (Adams Papers)
We have had fine weather on board ever since we left L’Orient, but have not in general been able to enjoy it on account of sea sickness. We begin now to stand a little firmer upon our legs. The Events that happen on board a Vessel are very seldom interesting, and the life we lead is very lazy and tiresome. Our Company on board is very gay and sociable, but is not in general such as I should...
137922d. (Adams Papers)
When we rose in the morning, we were out of sight, of Land. We have nothing now but the ocean and the sky around us. The weather being very fine none of us was very sick: but almost all the passengers felt such qualms as prevented them from eating any thing all day: myself among the rest.
1380Saturday May 21st. 1785. (Adams Papers)
At 6 o’clock in the morning a person came from the Captain, to inform me that the wind was fair, and that I must be on board at 9 o’clock. I went to Mr. Mölich’s lodgings. Called at Mr. Barclay’s house and breakfasted with Mr. Champion. Bought four pieces of Nankin at 6. lis: 10 sols: the piece. Saw Mr. Lanchon a merchant of Reputation of this Town. He took charge of my Letter for my Sister....
138120th. (Adams Papers)
I went down into the Port at about 10 o’clock in the morning. Met Mr. Grub who told me, that Mr. Thevenard, had a packet of Letters for me. I immediately went to his Hôtel, and he gave me the packet: it was from the Marquis de la Fayette and inclosed a number of Letters for America, with a sheet of the Leyden gazette which says that 20,000 Imperial troops have taken possession of Bavaria, in...
138219th. (Adams Papers)
At about 6 o’clock, the Captain of the Packet, and Mr. Salvius, a Sweedish Gentleman, who intends to go with us, called upon me, to go on board and put all our things in order, so as to be ready at an hours warning. We first went and took with us a Dutch Gentleman named Mölich who was to sail in the last Packet, but having been misinform’d by Monsr. le Couteulx, arrived here 6 hours too late,...
138318th. (Adams Papers)
In the morning I went to the Post office, and enquired if there were any Letters for me; there were none. I immediately went to Monsr. Mazois, to whom I supposed my Letters would be addressed, but he had none for me neither. I don’t know how it happens. I can only suppose that they were put in the Post Office, so late that they failed, coming by the Saturday Post; and even if that is the Case,...
1384John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 18 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
After a very warm and dusty Journey, setting out early, and riding late, I arrived here on Monday the 16th. instant at about 4. o’clock in the morning. As soon as I had taken a little rest, I enquired for Mr. Barclay; and immediately went for him. He would have been in Paris, before now, had he not been retained by illness: he is not yet well but seems determined to go for Paris to-morrow...
1385John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 12 – 17 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
You will perhaps be surprised, to see that in less than 8 hours I have come 9 ½ posts. But the Roads, as far as this place, are excellent, and the horses, exceeding sprightly, because, they have very little to do: I did not expect myself, to get to this place, to-night, when I left Auteuil, but my first horses served me much better than, I had hoped. I could have gone with ease, another post...
138617th. (Adams Papers)
Immediately after breakfast I went to Mr. Barclay’s. The wind has changed, so that we shall not sail this day. This gives me pleasure, as I expect a number of Letters, by the Post that arrives to morrow morning: I went with Captain Fournier to the Hôtel of Mr. Thevenard the Commandant, but he was not at home. Saw him upon the place of Parade. Dined with Mr. Grub and Mr. Champion at Mr....
1387John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams 2d, 17 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Our winds are now contrary, and as they changed with the moon they may be three weeks as they are; which would by no means be mon compte . I am not sorry however that they have come round, because, I shall not lose my Letters from Paris, which I should have regretted extremely, if I had been obliged to leave them. When I went to see Mr. Barclay yesterday, he told me to have my baggage carried...
138816th. (Adams Papers)
I went to bed immediately on my arrival; rose at about 10 in the morning, sent a man to find out Mr. Barclay. He return’d and told me he was vis-à-vis la maison de Ville. I went and found him very unwell: he had meant to leave L’Orient four or five days ago; but has been very ill with an humour in his head; but he is now much better, and thinks to set off next Thursday. I found Mr. Champion...
138915th. (Adams Papers)
Left the Hotel d’Artois, at about 5 in the morning, and was determined not to stop again before I arrived at L’Orient; for I had no Inclination to lodge in another house like those at Rennes and at Préz-en-Pail. At Josselin a small village, about half way between Rennes and L’Orient I saw a mountabank, curiously dress’d riding about in the Streets on horseback beating a drum, with a number of...
139014th. (Adams Papers)
At 5 in the morning I was in my Cabriolet, and never stopp’d anywhere untill I arrived at Rennes, which was at 11. at night. By coming through a cross road I shortened the Journey 3 posts; so that I came only 13 ½ or 81. miles. The roads were so bad that I could not ride more speedily. I trembled whenever I saw a town before me: for they are all paved in such a manner, that it seems done on...
1391May 13th. (Adams Papers)
At four in the morning I left Dreux, and rode, till 9 in the evening without stopping at all: But was then so much fatigued as my Carriage goes very hard, and the roads being very dusty I determined to go no further than Préz en Pail, which is 16 posts from Dreux, the country is mountaneous, and the roads are not so good as might be wish’d. This place is in the Province of Maine which forms...
1392Thursday May 12th. 1785. (Adams Papers)
At about 9 o’clock the Cabriolet arrived, and the postillion brought me a Letter from the Countess d’Oradour, by which she informs me that the Count cannot go with me, as it is impossible to fix two large trunks upon the Carriage; so that I shall finally be obliged to go down to L’Orient alone, after having been led to expect the Company of three different persons. I suspect that Mr. W. has...
139311th. (Adams Papers)
This Day, the King made his grand review, on the Plaines de Sablons. Mr. A. and the Ladies dined at the Sweedish Ambassadors; I had so much to do, that I could not. Early in the morning I had a remise, and went first to Dr. Franklin, to take his Commands and ask for a Passport; which I could not get, because, M: de la Motte his secretary, was gone to the Review. Went to Mr. Jefferson’s who was...
139410th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A: went to Versailles, to take leave, of the Court. Mr. Carnes came out. Was all day preparing for my departure, in the evening Mm. de la Fayette, with two of her Children, came out: and Mr. Jarvis and Mr. Randall. Burrill Carnes, a merchant at Nantes, appointed American agent there in 1786 by Thomas Barclay ( Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and...
13959th. (Adams Papers)
Walk’d into Paris in the morning, to the Marquis de la Fayette’s; to go with him to Mr. Jefferson’s upon the subject, of the Importation of our whale oil, into this Country. I was told the Marquis was gone out of Town, on horseback. Call’d upon Mr. Williamos and from thence went to Mr. Jefferson’s, where I waited till past noon for the Marquis, but, as he did not come then, I walk’d back again...
13968th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Randall, Mr. Short, Mr. Jarvis, Dr. Ruston, Mr. Williamos, and Mr. Bowdoin, dined with us. The drowth continues, and there is as yet no appearance of Rain.
13977th. (Adams Papers)
Went into Paris early in the morning. Called at the Hôtel d’Orleans, Rue St. Anne . Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Warburton, were going for England at Noon. Hotel d’Orleans, Palais Royal : Dr. Ruston found West there, and accompanied him, to the Diligence, Rue Montmartre; at 12 o’clock they all went off. I walk’d with Mr. Jarvis in the Palais Royal, and afterwards went and dined with him, at the hotel...
13986th. (Adams Papers)
After dinner the Ladies went into Paris: I left them at the Place de Louis 15. and went to Mr. West’s lodgings: he had been out to Auteuil in the morning with Mr. Bowdoin, and had promised to meet me in the afternoon at his lodgings, but did not. I walk’d from 5. o’clock till 9 in the Palais Royal. Met M: de Gouvion there, and walk’d with him, about an hour and an half. He was much averse to...
13995th. (Adams Papers)
All dined at Mr. Jefferson’s, with Marquis and Marquise de la Fayette, Count and Countess d’Ouradou, Chevalier de la Fayette another french gentleman, Mr. Short, who this morning arrived from St. Germains, Mr. Bowdoin from Virginia, Mr. Jarvis, &c. I there learnt that Mr. West and Dr. Ruston, were not gone for England: after dinner I went with Mr. Jarvis, to the Hôtel d’Orleans, Rue St. Anne,...
14004th. (Adams Papers)
In the afternoon I went into Paris alone: went to the Griffon, Rue de Bussy and bought some Stationary. To the Hôtel de Nassau Rue de la Harpe, to see Mm. la Comtesse d’Ouradou, but she was not within. Bought me a Couple of Trunks. Went to Mr. Jefferson’s: he tells me, that the Count, thinks of not going in the next Packet. I fear Mr. Williamos, after failing me, himself, has been endeavouring...